Welcome to the UVU Antarctic Ice Marathon

Adventure marathoners and ultra athletes are always looking for the next big challenge. It could be a remote desert marathon, a high altitude mountain marathon or a jungle marathon. However, mainland Antarctica represents the last frontier, the final great wilderness to be conquered. And now adventure athletes like you can do it.

Introducing the only footraces within the Antarctic Circle......

The Antarctic 100 takes place in January each year and the Antarctic Ice Marathon / Half Marathon takes place in November.

The 2015 Antarctic Ice Marathon

On 19 November 2015, the eleventh Antarctic Ice Marathon will take place at 80 Degrees South, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains.

This race presents a truly formidable and genuine Antarctic challenge with underfoot conditions comprising snow and ice throughout, an average windchill temperature of -20C, and the possibility of strong Katabatic winds to contend with. Furthermore, the event takes place at an altitude of 700 metres.

The four-day itinerary will see competitors fly by private jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, on 18 November to the marathon location at Union Glacier, Antarctica. A marked course of 42.2km (26.2 miles) will have been prepared in advance and snowmobile support, aid stations and medical personnel will be at hand for the duration of the race. Competitors are scheduled to return to Punta Arenas on 21 November 2015.

The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the southernmost marathon on earth and a unique opportunity to complete a marathon that is truly worthy of the seventh continent. You can join the exclusive 7 Continents Marathon Club by combining this race with marathons on each of the other six continents. Don't expect to run your quickest time, however, as winds can blow from the Pole at a steady 10-25 knots. Also, forget about penguins or crowds cheering you along the route - no penguins live this far south and you will have to rely upon yourself to push onward in the hushed, indomitable surroundings.

For those who prefer a half-marathon option, the Frozen Continent Half-Marathon will also be run on the day of the Marathon race. This half-marathon is your opportunity to cover 21km (13.1 miles) on the 'white continent' and finish the southernmost half marathon on the planet.

The 2016 Antarctic 100k

The Antarctic 100k ultra race is a separate trip to the marathon that will occur on 23-26 January 2016. Undoubtedly, 'the world's coolest 100', this ultramarathon challenge is reserved for only the toughest of endurance athletes. The 100k (62.1 miles) distance will seem endless, run under a sun that never sets against the backdrop of hills, mountains and large expanses of ice. This race presents the only opportunity to complete a 100k event on the frozen continent and creates the prospect of a 100k Seven Continents Club for global ultra athletes.

The 2016 Antarctic Ice Marathon

The Antarctic Ice Marathon trip is scheduled to occur from 18-21 November 2016.

Price

For the 2016 registration fee of €11,400, participants will be flown round-trip from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Union Glacier camp in the interior of the Antarctic. Competitors will receive accommodation and food for their entire Antarctic trip and entry to their race of choice. Top class photos of each competitor in action will be distributed for personal use, as well as commemorative certificates, medals, t-shirts and patches.

Please note: Weather problems can result in flight re-scheduling and the scheduled duration of the trip could be shortened or lengthened accordingly.

Mountain Climbing

It may also be possible to combine your marathon trip with climbing Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica, or visiting an Emperor Penguin Colony or the exact Geographic South Pole. There is a very substantial discount in combining these trips compared to registering for them as separate expeditions.